Project Details
Abstract
Theoretical framework. One of the challenges facing the study of religion and globalization is to integrate the
areas of enquiry suggested by previous research. The project aims to contribute to this task by focusing on
the global repositioning of religion vis-à-vis other religions, global social systems, and global ideas. These
three levels of analysis are integrated through a working definition of religion revolving around the concept of
authority. Within this framework, the project will explore the factors underlying the global repositioning of
religion, starting with those identified by our pilot study (resonance, global consciousness, search for
power). To shed light on the interplay between global repositioning and transnationalism, we will target East
Asian Buddhism in Austria and Italy (two countries with a strong Roman Catholic presence and similar
percentages of Buddhists), with attention to traditions meaningfully present in both countries – Zen, Soka
Gakkai International, and Chan Buddhism.
Objectives. The research questions revolve around the global repositioning of Zen, Soka Gakkai
International, and Chan Buddhism vis-à-vis other religions (e.g. Christianity), global social systems (e.g.
science), and specific global ideas (e.g. ecology, gender equality). Against this backdrop, we will explore
issues such as whether the greening of Buddhism implies the understanding of the environmental crisis as a
global problem, the resonance of sustainability with Buddhist ideas, and the promotion of Buddhism as the
solution to pressing global issues; whether the adaptation of the human rights discourse is used by
practitioners to deconstruct gender roles; and how religious discourses can interact with the
scientific/political domain in shaping Buddhist attitudes toward the Covid-19 pandemic and related matters.
Methods. The project’s work plan has two stages: Stage 1 (months 1-24) will analyze East Asian Buddhism
with two sub-projects (Austria and Italy) based on qualitative research (in-depth interviews with leaders and
practitioners, participant observation, document search, and content analysis). Stage 2 (months 25-36) will
analyze comparatively (contextually and cross-culturally) the case studies to examine
convergences/divergences in the dynamics of global repositioning.
Innovation. The project proposes an innovative conceptual framework to address the need for integrated and
comparative approaches to religion under globalization; it introduces the new concept of global-repositioning
factors for the analysis of the constraints/incentives underlying religious globalization; it addresses the
dearth of research on East Asian Buddhism under globalization thus promoting a less Western-centric
approach; and with its focus on the Austrian and Italian context it will contribute to clarify the issue of
religious pluralism in the EU.
Primary researchers. Prof Dr. Lukas Pokorny (Project Leader); PD Dr. Ugo Dessì (Co-author and Principal
Rese
Wissensch. Abstract
45142 - Pokorny
Erstellt
areas of enquiry suggested by previous research. The project aims to contribute to this task by focusing on
the global repositioning of religion vis-à-vis other religions, global social systems, and global ideas. These
three levels of analysis are integrated through a working definition of religion revolving around the concept of
authority. Within this framework, the project will explore the factors underlying the global repositioning of
religion, starting with those identified by our pilot study (resonance, global consciousness, search for
power). To shed light on the interplay between global repositioning and transnationalism, we will target East
Asian Buddhism in Austria and Italy (two countries with a strong Roman Catholic presence and similar
percentages of Buddhists), with attention to traditions meaningfully present in both countries – Zen, Soka
Gakkai International, and Chan Buddhism.
Objectives. The research questions revolve around the global repositioning of Zen, Soka Gakkai
International, and Chan Buddhism vis-à-vis other religions (e.g. Christianity), global social systems (e.g.
science), and specific global ideas (e.g. ecology, gender equality). Against this backdrop, we will explore
issues such as whether the greening of Buddhism implies the understanding of the environmental crisis as a
global problem, the resonance of sustainability with Buddhist ideas, and the promotion of Buddhism as the
solution to pressing global issues; whether the adaptation of the human rights discourse is used by
practitioners to deconstruct gender roles; and how religious discourses can interact with the
scientific/political domain in shaping Buddhist attitudes toward the Covid-19 pandemic and related matters.
Methods. The project’s work plan has two stages: Stage 1 (months 1-24) will analyze East Asian Buddhism
with two sub-projects (Austria and Italy) based on qualitative research (in-depth interviews with leaders and
practitioners, participant observation, document search, and content analysis). Stage 2 (months 25-36) will
analyze comparatively (contextually and cross-culturally) the case studies to examine
convergences/divergences in the dynamics of global repositioning.
Innovation. The project proposes an innovative conceptual framework to address the need for integrated and
comparative approaches to religion under globalization; it introduces the new concept of global-repositioning
factors for the analysis of the constraints/incentives underlying religious globalization; it addresses the
dearth of research on East Asian Buddhism under globalization thus promoting a less Western-centric
approach; and with its focus on the Austrian and Italian context it will contribute to clarify the issue of
religious pluralism in the EU.
Primary researchers. Prof Dr. Lukas Pokorny (Project Leader); PD Dr. Ugo Dessì (Co-author and Principal
Rese
Wissensch. Abstract
45142 - Pokorny
Erstellt
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 1/06/22 → 31/05/25 |